Page 146 of Broken
Sumner comes to work and gets the job done, I’ve got no complaints about him. All the drinking and lack of sleep lately can only go on so long before it affects his ability to tattoo.
“He’s going tonight. This was their last big blow out. Cut him some slack, G. He hasn’t seen his family in over a year.”
He gets a grunt instead of an answer. I'll have a word with Sumner when he gets back. I go over to my station to get ready for my client but change the music before I settle in. Lucky whines, but I’ve had enough Harry Styles to last me a lifetime in the ten minutes I’ve been down here.
Everything settles and Calli comes over to say goodbye. She’s going to get ready for her flight. She leans over my shoulder and kisses me. I’ll see her before she goes, but never say no to a kiss.
When she walks away, I get a full-frontal view of Shane and his big ass cheesy grin.
“Unless you want to lose your tongue, I’d suggest you keep whatever you’re going to say to yourself.”
If anything, his smile gets wider, but wisely he keeps his thoughts inside.
A customer opens the door and steps inside. Before the door can close the sound of screeching tires draws all our attention. Then a dull thud, followed by a bang.
“What the fuck?” Phoenix sets the tattoo gun down and gets to his feet.
Shane runs to the window with Lucky behind him. I pull back the door and go outside. People are gathering around a car that has smashed into a parked one. A woman has gotten out, disorientated and panicked.
More people are gathering a little further away. Oh fuck, there is a body on the floor. She’s hit someone.
“Shit,” Phoenix says from behind me. “Lucky grab the first aid,” he yells into the shop. “Think we might need the defibrillator?” he asks.
“I fucking hope not.”
“Oh no! Oh my God, did I hit someone? Is he okay?”
Phoenix and I look at one another and split apart, he goes to calm the woman, I head for the person she hit. It’s only when the crowd clears a little to let me pass I see the person on the floor.
“Fuck,” I fall down beside him and press my hands to his neck.
There is blood all over his face and his arm is bent at an odd angle. There is a pulse, thank fuck. I lean over him and tap his cheek.
“Sumner. Can you hear me?”
